Our two day stop in Egypt was everything and more that we had hoped for. The Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Cairo, Pyramids etc. Our guide, Manal was extremely knowledgeable and helpful and I certainly don't envy her job! You see, the problem with travelling in a group is the group! These are not people I would choose to spend any time with and quite frankly wanted to slap several of them!
Here is a 'for instance'. As we were on a tight schedule, every time we left the coach we were given a time to be back on board so we could depart for the next place. On no occasion did this go to plan. There was always someone (usually the same culprits)who felt the rules didn't apply to them and they were in no way responsible for holding up 40 other travellers. The worst case of this was in Luxor where, after visiting the absolutely fantastic Temple at Karnak, we checked into our overnight hotel. We were given an hour to relax/freshen up and were told to be on the bus no later than 6.30 so we could go to the Temple at Luxor for a sunset tour of the ruins. Between 6.30 and 6.45 we were waiting for 6 people. Two others were eventually left behind at 6.50.
After the tour we returned to find the couple complaining in the foyer that we had gone without them. My tolerance levels completely went AWOL when one of the other late travellers came in and said.'It's OK. You didn't miss much. Sean, ever ready to avoid the Diplomatic Incident promptly dragged me away as I was about to let rip!
Had we left on time we could have returned with enough time to change for dinner. As it was we had to go in feeling grubby and sweaty. Of course, those responsible for the delay were all freshened up and enjoying the facilities. Arghhh!
There are many fantastic things about the cruise and destinations but ultimately I won't be recommending cruising to anyone simply because of the self-importance and selfishness of many, if not most of the guests on board. The conspicuous consumption, greed and the lack of respect for local customs have completely angered me to the point of wanting to go home.
On the positive side, we have visited the most extraordinary places and seen some fantastic sites. And that I would thoroughly recommend!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Turkey and sailing activities
I had never been to Turkey so didn't know what to expect. It was, however, fantastic. We had booked a full day tour and our guide was Oz. He was very chatty and informative and too us around ancient cities, temples and amphitheatres before heading back to Kusadasi where the boat docked.
Ephesus was amazing, especially the huge internal facade of the library of Celsius. The recreated arrival of Antony and Cleopatra in the city was a slightly strange interlude but nevertheless enjoyable! The temple at Didyma was equally awe inspiring and must have been quite a site in its day.
After the tour we were taken to a carpet shop in Kusadasi for a demonstration of the Turkish technique of carpet weaving. The array of different designs was stunning (as were the prices). I was able to get a small one and Sean managed to knock a few dollars of the price as well. As we were paying the sales assistant found out we were Scottish and said one of the guys in the shop was married to a Scot. He was duly found and brought to us! When we said we were from Aberdeen he actually said 'Fit Like!' His wife was from Cumbernauld!
And now to Egypt. As this is a day at sea there are many activities arranged for the guests. We decided to go to the lecture entitled 'Enduring Egypt' which turned out to be 'Enduring a garbled presentation of amateur Egyptian history'. Later we went to a seminar on geo-politics and demography and how wonderful it is that we are all making so much money...Sean felt it best that I be dragged out before there was an 'incident'.
Now to the Ice Skating Show...the days are just packed...
Ephesus was amazing, especially the huge internal facade of the library of Celsius. The recreated arrival of Antony and Cleopatra in the city was a slightly strange interlude but nevertheless enjoyable! The temple at Didyma was equally awe inspiring and must have been quite a site in its day.
After the tour we were taken to a carpet shop in Kusadasi for a demonstration of the Turkish technique of carpet weaving. The array of different designs was stunning (as were the prices). I was able to get a small one and Sean managed to knock a few dollars of the price as well. As we were paying the sales assistant found out we were Scottish and said one of the guys in the shop was married to a Scot. He was duly found and brought to us! When we said we were from Aberdeen he actually said 'Fit Like!' His wife was from Cumbernauld!
And now to Egypt. As this is a day at sea there are many activities arranged for the guests. We decided to go to the lecture entitled 'Enduring Egypt' which turned out to be 'Enduring a garbled presentation of amateur Egyptian history'. Later we went to a seminar on geo-politics and demography and how wonderful it is that we are all making so much money...Sean felt it best that I be dragged out before there was an 'incident'.
Now to the Ice Skating Show...the days are just packed...
New Shoes.
I guess we all purchase new items when we book our holidays but this trip has really brought home to me how much footwear companies benefit from the tourist industry.
As we were docking the other day and all the tour goups were gathering to head off the boat I glanced down and was greeted by a sea of sparkly white new trainers.
I have since had a bit of a foot fetish and have noticed that all the trainers worn on board are also sparkly white so unless they are having them cleaned every day (and this is certainly possible with the attentive stateroom attendants - ours is called Dwen from Tobago) most people have bought at least two new pairs for this holiday.
Toe post sandals have also peaked in sales recently according to my (very unscientific) survey. And I will forever have mental picture of thousands of people panic buying trainers in the summer months.
As we were docking the other day and all the tour goups were gathering to head off the boat I glanced down and was greeted by a sea of sparkly white new trainers.
I have since had a bit of a foot fetish and have noticed that all the trainers worn on board are also sparkly white so unless they are having them cleaned every day (and this is certainly possible with the attentive stateroom attendants - ours is called Dwen from Tobago) most people have bought at least two new pairs for this holiday.
Toe post sandals have also peaked in sales recently according to my (very unscientific) survey. And I will forever have mental picture of thousands of people panic buying trainers in the summer months.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Sailing, Athens and Rhodes.
After Naples we had a day at sea before Athens. There were lots of activities such as the Sexy Legs competition by the pool which makes this a kind of floating Butlins holiday camp in my opinion. It was, needless to say, avoided by the Laings. The prize in the bingo was tempting to say the least - an upgrade to the Royal Suite - but at 32 dollars a ticket I figured some other sucker could win it.
Sea Days are also the formal evenings in the dining room. As the luggage was still being held hostage by Alitalia, Royal Caribbean had provided free tux hire for Sean. It was smart, of course, but wasn't the kilt! The food on board is really good and the escargots, duck and cheesecake didn't disappoint.
Athens, when we arrived was hot. A humid 33 degrees. We had been too late to book a tour so we did it ourselves and I'm really glad we did. Of course the Acropolis was heaving with humanity but we didn't have to stand around in a group listening to a tour guide and were able to stop when we wanted, eat when we wanted and generally please ourselves what we did. It was a fantastic day and I was able to add another Hard Rock Pilsner glass to my growing collection. I also bought myself a leather handbag.
We got a taxi back to the ship and the driver asked where we were from. When we said Scotland he said his son had been at Strathclyde University and they were over recently for his graduation! We were instantly his new best friends!
Back on board we were able to do the happy dance of the prodigal luggage! Sean can now change his clothes! As I mentioned earlier, missing luggage is a fairly common part of our travels but this time has really taken the proverbial biscuit!
Sean had booked the Portofino restaurant, one of the two speciality restaurants on board. As we sailed out of Piraeus we were seated beside the window and watched the sun go down over the Greek Islands as we dined. The food was fantastic and Ratko, our waiter from Serbia was very attentive and ready for a joke.
Today was a late start and we were able to sit on the balcony of our stateroom as we docked in Rhodes. We hadn't booked a tour as we thought we would just take it easy around the old town of Rhodes and do our own thing. It was very hot again but we weren't in a hurry and were able to sit in the shade when it got too hot to wander around.
Back on board it was cocktail time and on that note I will sign off. Sailing for Turkey as I type for a busy tour entitled 'Best of Antiquity'. Watch this space...
Sea Days are also the formal evenings in the dining room. As the luggage was still being held hostage by Alitalia, Royal Caribbean had provided free tux hire for Sean. It was smart, of course, but wasn't the kilt! The food on board is really good and the escargots, duck and cheesecake didn't disappoint.
Athens, when we arrived was hot. A humid 33 degrees. We had been too late to book a tour so we did it ourselves and I'm really glad we did. Of course the Acropolis was heaving with humanity but we didn't have to stand around in a group listening to a tour guide and were able to stop when we wanted, eat when we wanted and generally please ourselves what we did. It was a fantastic day and I was able to add another Hard Rock Pilsner glass to my growing collection. I also bought myself a leather handbag.
We got a taxi back to the ship and the driver asked where we were from. When we said Scotland he said his son had been at Strathclyde University and they were over recently for his graduation! We were instantly his new best friends!
Back on board we were able to do the happy dance of the prodigal luggage! Sean can now change his clothes! As I mentioned earlier, missing luggage is a fairly common part of our travels but this time has really taken the proverbial biscuit!
Sean had booked the Portofino restaurant, one of the two speciality restaurants on board. As we sailed out of Piraeus we were seated beside the window and watched the sun go down over the Greek Islands as we dined. The food was fantastic and Ratko, our waiter from Serbia was very attentive and ready for a joke.
Today was a late start and we were able to sit on the balcony of our stateroom as we docked in Rhodes. We hadn't booked a tour as we thought we would just take it easy around the old town of Rhodes and do our own thing. It was very hot again but we weren't in a hurry and were able to sit in the shade when it got too hot to wander around.
Back on board it was cocktail time and on that note I will sign off. Sailing for Turkey as I type for a busy tour entitled 'Best of Antiquity'. Watch this space...
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Day 2 - Pompeii
Our first stop was Naples. We had a quick breakfast before heading out for our booked tour which included a motor launch trip from Salerno to Amalfi, lunch, visit to a cameo factory and the ruins at Pompeii.
It was a beautiful day and the boat trip was amazing. The Amalfi coast was stunning and the town was very picturesque. We even had a short time to explore on our own in Amalfi so we visited the cathedral to St Andrew (didn't pay to see his relics though!), did a bit of tourist shopping and people-watched from a cafe on the town square.
We then took the tour bus to Pompeii where lunch was served. We were only one tour coach among several which all arrived at the same time. It must be a daily occurrence at the hotel because they were certainly well practiced in serving several hundred people all at once. I have to say the food was pretty decent too. There was even entertainment as a local trio played and sang local Neapolitan songs for us as we dined!
I really enjoyed the demonstration at the cameo factory. It takes about 4 days to make each cameo (brooch, earrings etc) and as each is hand carved they are all unique. I have never really been a fan of cameos before but some of them were stunning. There were traditional and modern designs but as prices were around 500 euros fro a brooch I gave it a miss!
Of course, the highlight of the day was the visit to the ruins at Pompeii. It was everything and more than I had expected. I hadn't realised just how big the site is. On a tour like this it was only possible to see a few highlights but we both decided we would definitely be back to this part of the world again someday and we will spend more time in Pompeii then.
I was a hot and exhausting day but we had promised ourselves cocktails back on the boat. I went for a shower while Sean tried to find out if his suitcase had arrived on board yet. Yerghh! Cold shower! Not impressed. Garghhh! No luggage! Seriously not impressed. Guest relations did provide free laundry for Sean, a shaving kit and tuxedo hire for the formal evening. Hopefully they will have made some progress on locating the luggage before we get to Athens and Sean will be reunited with his clothes!
It was a beautiful day and the boat trip was amazing. The Amalfi coast was stunning and the town was very picturesque. We even had a short time to explore on our own in Amalfi so we visited the cathedral to St Andrew (didn't pay to see his relics though!), did a bit of tourist shopping and people-watched from a cafe on the town square.
We then took the tour bus to Pompeii where lunch was served. We were only one tour coach among several which all arrived at the same time. It must be a daily occurrence at the hotel because they were certainly well practiced in serving several hundred people all at once. I have to say the food was pretty decent too. There was even entertainment as a local trio played and sang local Neapolitan songs for us as we dined!
I really enjoyed the demonstration at the cameo factory. It takes about 4 days to make each cameo (brooch, earrings etc) and as each is hand carved they are all unique. I have never really been a fan of cameos before but some of them were stunning. There were traditional and modern designs but as prices were around 500 euros fro a brooch I gave it a miss!
Of course, the highlight of the day was the visit to the ruins at Pompeii. It was everything and more than I had expected. I hadn't realised just how big the site is. On a tour like this it was only possible to see a few highlights but we both decided we would definitely be back to this part of the world again someday and we will spend more time in Pompeii then.
I was a hot and exhausting day but we had promised ourselves cocktails back on the boat. I went for a shower while Sean tried to find out if his suitcase had arrived on board yet. Yerghh! Cold shower! Not impressed. Garghhh! No luggage! Seriously not impressed. Guest relations did provide free laundry for Sean, a shaving kit and tuxedo hire for the formal evening. Hopefully they will have made some progress on locating the luggage before we get to Athens and Sean will be reunited with his clothes!
Travel Gremlins
As a last minute treat at the end of summer, we decided to book a cruise around the Eastern Mediterranean. But all is not smooth sailing...
We seem to have a built in gremlin to the travel process. It is the gremlin of the missing luggage and it has struck again. On many previous holidays the gremlin has located and secreted our luggage but today decided that I would get mine but Sean’s would disappear into an airport luggage black hole. Both cases seem to have made it from Manchester to Paris Charles de Gaulle (a veritable hell hole of lost luggage for us) but only my case managed onto the connecting Alitalia flight to Rome. Rome may actually be my new favourite airport to hate.
On arrival in Rome we managed to find the lovely cruise woman but not the complete set of expected luggage. This, of course, means a long wait to speak to someone at the airline who is, naturally, completely uninterested that you have been separated from your baggage. They would, in very bored tones, like to know what your luggage looks like and wonder if you had a short connection time at C de G which would explain why your luggage couldn’t get on the plane with you. One piece did but the other piece didn’t. This requires an Italian shrug of the shoulders as if to say ‘go figure’.
The helpful computer was able to tell us that the lost baggage was on the next flight but would not arrive in time to get to the ship that we were sailing on at 5.00pm. It would have to catch up with us at Naples tomorrow.
Watch this space. I will let you know if this actually happens. However, as the first formal night is in two days and Sean’s kilt is in the lost luggage, he is threatening to wear nothing at all if said luggage doesn’t arrive. I urge all relevant authorities to do their very best to get the suitcase here on time or I take no responsibility for the consequences.....
We seem to have a built in gremlin to the travel process. It is the gremlin of the missing luggage and it has struck again. On many previous holidays the gremlin has located and secreted our luggage but today decided that I would get mine but Sean’s would disappear into an airport luggage black hole. Both cases seem to have made it from Manchester to Paris Charles de Gaulle (a veritable hell hole of lost luggage for us) but only my case managed onto the connecting Alitalia flight to Rome. Rome may actually be my new favourite airport to hate.
On arrival in Rome we managed to find the lovely cruise woman but not the complete set of expected luggage. This, of course, means a long wait to speak to someone at the airline who is, naturally, completely uninterested that you have been separated from your baggage. They would, in very bored tones, like to know what your luggage looks like and wonder if you had a short connection time at C de G which would explain why your luggage couldn’t get on the plane with you. One piece did but the other piece didn’t. This requires an Italian shrug of the shoulders as if to say ‘go figure’.
The helpful computer was able to tell us that the lost baggage was on the next flight but would not arrive in time to get to the ship that we were sailing on at 5.00pm. It would have to catch up with us at Naples tomorrow.
Watch this space. I will let you know if this actually happens. However, as the first formal night is in two days and Sean’s kilt is in the lost luggage, he is threatening to wear nothing at all if said luggage doesn’t arrive. I urge all relevant authorities to do their very best to get the suitcase here on time or I take no responsibility for the consequences.....
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