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Showing posts from August, 2016

Mediterranean Run

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Sofia is back onboard and we are enjoying two last cruises before we all go home...even kim starts his vacation. So we are all counting down. This week we went to Dubrovnik, Piraeus, Santorini and Split. In Dubrovnik, Sofia and I decided to take the bus (offered by the ship) and visit the old town. Afterall Sofia had not been there and i have not been there since I actually worked on the ships which we all know has been some time. Once we arrived in old town we strolled around, its car free, and then sat down for a cappuccino. I thought it would be good cause the brand of the coffee was Meinl....but i was very disappointed. In all honesty, the coffee tasted like filter coffee, the foam was way too airy....im sad to say that i could not even finish the coffee cause it was just terrible. The outing was not tok long cause it was hot and crowded and we thought we could spend some time on the quiet ship. Let me share some pics.... Cappuccino Sofia in Dubrovnik Selfie: Sofia and me In Phira...

Katakolon

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Our last port this week would be Katakolon....and we all know what i love to do there...i love to eat octopus. Also, last time, when the pilot invited us for lunch, when my family was onboard, he unfortunately had no octopus...so this time i was extra excited. Kim and i took a stroll to the pilot's daughter's restaurant and shop called F.ilia. I think i might have said it before, but their shop is really beautiful, not cluttered but spaced out products, one can try everything and the decor is great....have a look at this.... F.ilia F.ilia Of course we always try the goodies and we always end up buying something...this time it was two bottels of olive oil and snails...one with garlic, one with rosmary. The olive oil from them is just so nice, while Italian olive oil is a little bit more bitter, this has no bitterness at all, it is very smooth. I love it. After that, time to sit down and enjoy some lunch. It consisted of Greek salad, Sagnaki and grilled octopus. Sagnaki is a che...

4x4 Mykonos

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Our last 4x4 Experience was in Mykonos....there is none in Katakolon....this one started from the pier...this time we chose a red car....our drive started by heading to the most north western corner of the island where the Farro, lighthouse, is situated. We had beautiful views to some of the other islands, but man, it was windy. The guide informed us that 300 days in the year it is windy, mostly from the north...it was crazy...i almost felt chili. In the sky there were dark clouds and he informed us, it is definitely not rain, it is dust clouds from all the wind. He also explained that there are about 8000 inhabitants on Mykonos island, during the summer there are another 15000 coming to work here and about 60000-80000 tourists....crazy. Now let me share some pics of the lighthouse with you.... Lighthouse Me and the lighthouse Views, Delos island in the back The jeeps...ours is in the background After that, we made our way to second most well known village called Ano Mera (most we...

Santorini 4x4

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Another first....this time not the 4x4 was the new experience but seeing other parts of the island. I have only ever seen Thira (Fira) and Oia, so I was quite excited...not knowing what to expect. The first thing that I noticed while driving was a lunar like lanscape created by the last volcano eruption. Let me give you a little bit of history. Santorini is one of the cyclade islands in the Aegean sea which was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC. The whitewashed, cubist houses of its two principle towns, Fira (Thira) and Oia, cling to the cliffs above an underwater caldera (crater). The depth of the caldera is about 400m. So, going back to the landscape, given that it is volcanic...it is made up of rocks...BUT interestingly enough, similarly to Lazarote, Santorini also produces its own wine, but i am not going into that now because the tour was not about that. I will share a pic of what the vineyards look like though. Vineyard Our first stop was a view point ove...

Corfy by 4x4

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A new experience....back on the cruise ship....this time....a shorex doing a 4x4....we were a small group of 13 adults....that meant 6 Suzuki vehicles, of course open....fabulous...maybe i would get a little bit tanned. We chose the matt black which was the last jeep in the caravan. Kim and i hopped into the car andbefore the seatbelts were on, the other cars were already rolling...off we went.... The start was of course the new port in Corfu, the cruise ship terminal. Them the trip took us along the coast through Gouvia then Dassia and then up the mountains to Sokraki. Just before Sokraki we had a short photospot as there were some great views...unfortunately a bit hazy so the photos are not too great....but let me share a little bit anyway.... Photo stop Me and our Suzuki The next stop was in Sokraki....one of the oldest villages...very tiny....a small coffee bar, a small square and chapel and a little shop selling goodies made from olive trees. Kim and i bought an ice cream sandwic...