Cruise Diva's CRUISE
DIARY
~ Istanbul to Genoa ~
Cruise the
Cyclades Islands to Nafplion, Greece
At Sea—June7,
2002
A day at sea is the perfect way to
begin a cruise. As Silver Whisper made her way to Nafplion, Greece,
land was seldom out of sight.
After breakfast in my suite, a quick
exploration of the ship was in order. First stop—the Computer Center
to sign onto the Internet and send email home. Email is definitely the
most efficient and inexpensive means to stay in touch. Silverseas'
computer system is designed so charges only accrue while a web page is
uploading or downloading. Using a Yahoo or Hotmail
account costs only pennies.
Email sent, I popped next door to the
well-stocked library to select a book and then headed upstairs to peek into
the Observation Lounge. No matter where in the world you are sailing,
you'll find a guidebook there, as well as games and morning coffee. The Spa
is right next door and I can see I'll be
spending a lot of time in the sauna and steam room. Fellow passengers
were
already into their fitness routines and working off last night's dinner in the gym.
Down a deck, I circuited the sun
deck and, down another deck, noticed that snacks were being readied at
The Pool Grillé. The day's roster of activities included a wine
tasting with the Head Sommelier and basic ballroom dancing lessons
with the Gentlemen Hosts®. Both
activities were well attended.
Our sailing schedule from Istanbul
afforded an after lunch treat as we cruised at sea past the grandeur
of Mt. Athos. It was a splendid opportunity to view the remote
villages and monasteries perched on the the mountainous slopes
(photo). From
the balcony of my suite, I could hear the narrative from the bridge and felt I
could almost reach out to touch the shore. That's as close as I'll
ever get, however. Woman are not allowed ashore—the monks choose to
live there
for solitude and a contemplative life. Only males are allowed
to visit the peninsula.
A full evening of entertainment was
in store... following afternoon tea and Team Trivia, it was time to
primp for a formal evening and attend the Captain's Welcome Aboard Reception.
Afterwards we enjoyed a sumptuous dinner and
the evening's show, La Belle Epoque. Featuring the
Jean Ann Ryan Production Team, noted for their fine performers and
dazzling costumes, it's unusual to see such a spectacular show on a
ship as small as Silver Whisper.
Nafplion,
Greece—June 8, 2002
After the day cruising, we visited the port and resort town of
Nafplion, noted for the scenic view from the Palamidi Fortress (and
nearly a thousand stairs to reach it). Thankfully, my tour included a
coach ride to the top, where the promised view was spectacular.
Equally impressive was ancient Epidaurus, site of the remarkable 4th
Century BC theatre, the best preserved ancient theatre in Greece. Our
guide demonstrated the incredible acoustics by whispering from the
spot where the altar once stood.
We rounded out the day with lunch at
a sidewalk café and a bit of shopping around the main square of the
Old Town. A short tender ride delivered us back aboard Silver Whisper
with plenty of time left in the afternoon for lounging in a padded
wooden deck chair—a fine spot to read and then watch the scenery as
we sailed.
A relaxed dinner in my suite sounded
appealing after a day ashore. In keeping
with a "do it my way" state of mind, I skipped the dining
room and ordered a splendid meal from room service. Jumbo prawns,
Caesar salad, beef tenderloin, and crème brûlée garnished with
raspberries—a leisurely feast served in my dining room on a pale
green Frette
linen tablecloth. A perfect ending to a lovely day.
Next -> Cruise the
Adriatic & Days Ashore at Dubrovnik & Korçula, Croatia
Back to the Istanbul
to Genoa Cruise Diary Index
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