First cruise-part 1

In fact the title of the blog has two meanings....first because it is the first cruise for Sofia and me for this contract that Kim is on the ship and secondly, it is Sofia's first birthday (this cruise), so this cruise Mutti, nonna, nonno and a good friend from SA, Lisa, would all be joining us. A cruise of the Greek islands....including Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos and Katakolon.

I am going to write chronologically....highlighting a few main events. The cruise would be departing from the beautiful city of Venezia and that would mean we were able to drive to the ship, 378km. The first lunch we spent at the VIP restaurant, Cagney. I opted, i think maybe this is my signature dish, for the smoked, seared salmon, a firm favourite. Lunch was accompanied with a glass of Prosecco. Later, we had an aperitivo while sailing out of Venezia, past St. Mark's square...that amazes me every time, going through the Grand Canal, just incredible. Let me share a few pics of the sail away....

Sofia and St. Mark's square

Sofia and St. Mark's square

St. Mark's square

Dinner was in La Cucina, the Italian restaurant. For me, my firm favourites, the insalata caprese (tomato and mozzarella) followed by the carpaccio, both did not disappoint, they were in fact delicious. The next day, we would be celebrating Mutti's birthday.

As it was a sea day, we celebrated a lunch rather than a dinner (well, actually Kim had work obligations and that is why we opted for a lunch celebration). This time, i ventured a little bit....i had the shrimp cocktail followed by the grilled asparagus, porcini mushrooms and parma ham served on a bed of rocket salad...both....delicious, also the shrimp cocktail is beautifully presented in a martini glass. Of course there was cake...Mutti wished for a light fruit cake...yummie...let me share some pics....

Mutti and her Prosecco

Lisa, Mutti and Kim

Mutti and Sofia

Birthday fruit cake

Again, food was delicious, cake yummie. It was what Mutti wanted. The rest of the day was spent enjoying the sun and in the evening Kim had VIP party and captain's pictures. We all joined, after that, Sofia, Kim and me enjoyed a quiet evening at home.

Monday....Sofia's birthday...4th July....and arrival in Corfu, just a short day, arrival at 8:00, departure at 15:00. Kim had to stay onboard, but the rest of us went out for a small stroll, coffee and lunch. The walk from the pier to the old town takes about 35 minutes if you take it easy. It's all flat. So of course today was Sofia's birthday but we thought we celebrate once we are back on the ship, of course Kim needed to be present. Corfu is a cute little old town, lots of souvenir shops and restaurants, just nice to take easy. The ladies all found some beautiful white cotton dresses and Sofia got a small toy.....let me share a pic...

Sofia and her new toy

Lunch we chose a quiet little Greek place, called Tabepna, somewhere in the side streets. Quiet, at the moment, for us is better cause the Sofia has a lot of place to roam around...the food was outstanding...and very generous portions. We ordered two mixed platters, one tzaziki, some pita bread and two Greek salads...and we had food left over...let me share some pics...

Tzaziki, pita bread and Greek salad

Mixed platter: tzaziki, crispy deep fried springonions, cold cuts, dolmades and Greek salad

Sofia enjoying her sparkling water

The tomatoes in Greece are just amazing...so juice and they really taste of ripe tomatoes, the tzaziki was also oustanding, the feta nice and salty...but my best was in fact the deep fried springonions....something i have never had before, but well worth trying....of course the Greek salad also...but that i have had before. Yummie lunch...dessert...definitely no space. We knew dessert would be at 15:30....Sofia's birthday cake, on the bridge after sailing....

So once we set sail at 15:00, we decorated the bridge a little bit....Sofia's present was put on the bridge....a tricycle that can play various tunes, and the cake arrived....and what an immaculate cake...very very beautiful, decorated with a lot of marzipan...but that is of course great because there are a lot of marzipan lovers in the family. Time to share some pics....

Sofia's beautiful 1st birthday cake

Sofia on her new tricycle

And not to forget...all this was topped with a bottle of Veuve Cliquot afterwards...and some more presents...

Celebrating Sofia's 1st birthday

I think Sofia had a very special 1st birthday....for dinner we tried my favourite restaurant, Moderno, the brazilian restaurant. Of course we made good use of the salad bar...and as always this consisted of brie cheese, parma ham, caprese salad, Cesear salad, seafood salad, grileld asparagus, porcini mushrooms, mango salad, peacanut and corn salad, blue cheese...etc etc.....the meats....i think everything was tried from beef ribbs to fillet mignon to sirloin to picanah to lamb chops to grilled pineapple...the ones that were not tried were the pork ribs, the chorizo and the pork sausage. The food was oustanding, what a good way to end Sofia's 1st birthday celebration.

I will end my first part of the blog now....i guess i could call it the birthday part....cause we celebrated both Mutti's and Sofia's birthday. Next up will be the rest of the Greek islands...and of course A LOT more food pictures...cause this is what the Greek oslands are all about...great food and hot weather. So for now...cheers...and you will hear from me again very soon.

 

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